Archive for the ‘Freestyle/Crawl Technique’ Category

A Practice to Improve Balance, Streamline . . . and Focus
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on March 21st, 2011

This practice specifies what to think about. That’s more important than how far you swim.

How Triathletes and Total Immersion Revolutionized Freestyle
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on March 18th, 2011

How Freestyle evolved from a ‘speed’ stroke to one that anyone can use to cover long distances effortlessly.

How to swim Distance Freestyle as easily as Breaststroke
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on March 18th, 2011

If it’s hard for you to swim continuous freestyle, but easy to do so in breaststroke, here’s a plan for applying sensations of ease and support from breaststroke to freestyle.

Swimming Better: Do we learn more from Science or Intuition?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 2nd, 2011

Everything important I’ve learned in swimming – and my happiest moments – have been the product of experience and intuition.

Finding Higher Purpose in Masters Races
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on January 20th, 2011

When I set goals for pool times, and pool races, I get all the Arduous Experience and Cognitive Difficulty my psyche craves.

Balance – In Water and On Snow
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on January 17th, 2011

Balance and Relaxation are critical to both Skiing and Swimming in ‘rolling terrain.’ Here are three tips for how to achieve that in open water, with video to illustrate.

Tool Review #5: Fins for fitness & strength? Not!
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on January 2nd, 2011

Kicking or swimming with fins is a moderately effective way to Build Fitness and Strength” but a highly ineffective way to Improve Your Swimming.

Tool Review #3 Hand Paddles: Exercise Utmost Care
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 26th, 2010

Hand Paddles are a clear and present danger to shoulders and encourage misguided focus on power. If you use them at all, swim — don’t pull — at moderate pressure with a meticulous stroke.

Tool Review #2: Pull Buoy — Crutch or Virtue
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 24th, 2010

Pull buoys are both seductive and insidious because they allow you to mask a lack of balance while convincing yourself you’re ‘building upper body strength.’

Swim Tools: Useful or “Contaminants?”
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 23rd, 2010

Most swimmers use tools like ingredients in a cake recipe. Mix buoy, paddles, kickboard and fins and bake for one hour. Better to use them selectively, thoughtfully and to target specific stroke weaknesses.